If you’re going to stay in a luxury hotel, the Hay Adams is probably your best bet, but if you want the off chance of getting a better rate try the Jefferson. I like it better than most of the others because there aren’t as many weddings/conferences/events/fundraisers going on at any given night (aka loud, annoying, egomaniacs), it’s newly updated, and you can usually find a pretty good deal if you start trolling Kayak/TripAdvisor/Expedia/etc.

If you’re not into the old-world elegance thing (and don’t want to pay as much, definitely stay at Mason & Rook. It’s a newer Kimpton in Logan Circle that’s trendy, affordable, and within walking distance to the Mall.

This. Hotel. Is. So. Cute. I. Could. Die. It’s in Adams Morgan (think trendy restaurants, shopping) and more affordable than most of the hotels downtown. Close to a Metro stop to get you wherever you need to go, and you’ll be instagramming like a boss the whole time.

So when it comes to B&B’s in DC, you’ll usually hear everyone who's into the B&B scene swooning over Swann House, but I personally think the American Guest House is better. It’s a little bit farther outside the center of the city in Adams Morgan (think trendy restaurants and shopping), but it’s near a Metro stop, it’s cheaper than Swann House, and I think it’s a little more elegant and certainly more comfortable. 

If you want to stay in a B&B but you don’t want to pay as much or be as far removed as the American Guest House, pick Embassy Circle Guest House. It’s cheaper, closer, and still really cozy and oozing charm.